

This is because a NAS isn’t good for much other than storing and accessing data.įor instance, a $200 NAS you might find at Best Buy will likely have a single core processor with a low clock speed and 1 to 2 GB of RAM. Most often, these are packaged up as a pre-built piece of computing equipment, though they can be built.Īn entry level NAS is almost always cheaper than an entry level server that has the same amount of storage.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a data storage server that distributes information to computers on a network. Let’s break down exactly why someone might choose one over the other. Servers require more technical knowledge, but are way more modular. NASes are easy to use, but aren’t very expandable. For homes and small businesses in particular, choosing between a NAS or server can be a tough decision. Having extra, wirelessly accessible storage is attractive for everyone from homes to corporations, but there is a learning curve in picking the right equipment.
